The controversial Bowman
books. 2 volumes you see them often. (There were
supposed to be at least 4 volumes so holes are large.) I
like volume 1 but…. Lots of terrain covered and some
disagreement with others on points. He has a long
discussion of cockades. Though desperately needed, I do
not think it is all-correct. I still would buy them, as
they are a source. It gets you started and if you only
speak English.... Goes to show that you have to
compare. Some of the other references offer great comparison. This will cause questions
and you can try to validate. Seen these go for between
$50 and $125 a pair rising to $350 under duress. No one
says anything good about the accuracy of these books. Ok
but the alternative is? I like to think our collectors
think critically. However, if no one told them to
question this book could lead you astray. Lots of folks
have low opinions of the author who has passed away. I
never knew him. The more ?I know the less accurate these
books are. Captions are bad and he didn't know his
Landsturm from Landwehr.
OK
Volume 1. A wonderful primer/textbook about Imperial
Germany and Pickelhauben. Now the organization is odd
and I cannot attest for all the facts but it does
present a wide range of data. Chapter 1 is Prussia.
Sort of a general history with nothing new or exciting
but it is simplistically laid out. Why a book on
Pickelhaube starts here I don't know. Chapter 2 is the
long and now famous discussion of Kokarden. I know
there are mistakes in here and it is not super clear so
I'll pass it by. It starts however with the "state"
landes cockardes and a map of imperial Germany. Later
in the book much of the book is about the minor states
so you are jumping back and forth. Chapter 3 is a
discussion of Helmet plates. You start here to go buggy
because of the organization again. VOl. #1 is Line
infantry. VOL. #2 is Wartime, ersatz, Reserve and
Artillery. In theory VOL.#3 is Gd etc. There is no
volume 3 ( or 4) so right off the bat there is stuff
missing. Also the author delays comment on some items
until VOL. #3. The "famous" pictures of the helmet
plates from Imperial Germany is included covering 3
pages so the pictures of the common plates are there.
Chapter 4 is the state by state explanation. Some
states are covered far better than others and his
explanation of the Thuringian states I don't think is
too correct. Still where else is this explained.?
Chapter 5 is on the assembly of the Pickelhaube. Chapter
6 helmet covers. Chapter 7 Accoutrements. Chapter 8
Patents. His thought is that we have much to learn from
the patent archives. Chapter 9 is Haus Door. Chapter 10
is really quite good. Loads of article like
commentary. The OB list of line regiments in 1914.
(This is well laid out then VERY confusing because it
does not include the Guard but does the state Guards
like the 109th.) The Army Corps Districts, Bavarian Army
List. Maker's Marks, Values, Adoption of spiked helmets
by other nations.
So there
you have it. Lots of data and black and white pictures
with some color plates but almost like he had chapters
and stapled them together to make a book. Good general
know how book to use as a spring board for further
research. I would take little of this 1989 source as
gospel.
Volume
#2. Published 3 years after volume 1. This is like a
separate book. Chapter 1 is on the German Army in
1914. Starts as a discussion of the attack becomes an
explanation of the demise of the spiked helmet then
contains what appears to be pages of random pictures.
chapter 2 Pickelhauben in WW1. Really this is an
explanation of Pickelhauben in German society and why
resources led to its demise. Then there are pages of
random pictures. Chapter 3 on Wartime Pickelhauben. A
good chapter explaining the transition to the M15
types. Loads of applicable pictures (all B&W). Chapter
4 Ersatz Pickelhauben. Yes an explanation of why and how
colonial forces had used this for 20 years. Felt tin,
steel, given long treatment. Fiber and Misc. Bowman
says fibre helmets look like leather up close. Foul.
Loads of B&W pictures of examples. Chapter 5 Kugelhauben,
Chapter 6 reservists. A long treatment with lots of
pictures but mostly a history lesson on the Prussian
Reserve system and the Napoleonic Wars. He states that
the difference in Landwehr, Landsturm and Reserv can be
seen by different types of reserve crosses. Tilt. There
is a big problem here. Pictures are good though and on
pages 233-236 there are great drawings of the different
crosses. Chapter 7 Patents again. Chapter 8 Helmet
covers again. Chapter 9 Specialist formations. (Eisenbahn
and train.) Chapter 10 Helmet Plates. (All pictures
with captions) Chapter 11 General information. There is
a long article on the One Year volunteer. I believe
that this is the main source of all "other" Pickelhauben
being lumped into the OYV category. there is no mention
of Fähnrich.
All in
All I would definitely buy these. In ENGLISH!!!!! Great
source to begin questioning. Take none of these books as
gospel.
